Stopper for a ladle or similar receptacle



Nov. 14, 1967 c. B. MURTON 3,352,533

STOPPER FOR A LADLE OH SIMILAR RECEPTACLE Original Filed Sept. a, 1958 aSheets-Sheet 1 Y INVENTOR. Crawford B. Murton A ATTORNEYS Nov. 14, 1967c. B. MURTON STOPPER FOR A LADLE OR SIMILAR RECEPTACLE Original FiledSept. 8, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Crawford B. Murton' 4Q ATTORNEYS Nov. 14, 1967 c. B. MURTON 3,352,533

STOPPER FOR A LADLE OR SIMILAR RECEPTACLE Original Filed Sepi. s, 1958 5Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. Crawford B.Munon k ATTORNEYS United StatesPatent 3,352,533 STOPPER FOR A LADLE 0R SIMILAR RECEPTACLE Crawford B.Murton, Monchen-Gladbach, Germany, as-

signor to Vesuvius Crucible Company, Swissvale, Pa., a corporation ofPennsylvania Original application Sept. 8, 1958, Ser. No. 759,670, nowPatent No. 3,281,904, dated Nov. 1, 1966. Divided and this applicationNov. 13, 1964, Ser. No. 410,863

2 Claims. (Cl. 251-356) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A stopper for a ladlesuch as a bottom pour hot metal ladle comprising a refractory headhaving a Well extending downwardly thereinto receiving the flanged lowerend of a stopper rod with insert means separate from the rod and headinserted downwardly into the well above the rod flange into position tooverlie the rod flange and seat thereon and thereby block withdrawal ofthe rod from the well and connected with the head whereby to attach therod to the head together with protective sleeve means surrounding therod above the head vertically supported by the insert means. The insertmeans are preferably the sole means overlying the rod flange.

This application is a divisional application based upon my copendingapplication Ser. No. 759,670, filed Sept. 8, 1958 (now Patent No.3,281,904), the specification and drawings of this application beingidentical with the specification and drawings of said copendingapplication.

This invention relates to a stopper for a ladle or similar receptacleand has to do particularly with the manner of attachment of the stopperrod to the stopper head. Many different proposals have been made forfastening stopper rods to stopper heads but each has had disadvantages.It is undesirable to apply the stopper rod through the bottom of thestopper head as then the opening in the bottom of the stopper head mustbe plugged and the plug is liable to fall out. Various provisions forapplying the stopper rod to the top of the stopper head have beensuggested but these have for the most part involved intricate orimpractical structures. They have generally involved so-called one pieceor permanently assembled stopper rod and head combinations requiringbreaking the stopper head to disconnect the rod from the head forreplacement of one or the other.

I provide a stopper for a ladle or similar receptacle which obviates thedisadvantages of the expedients heretofore employed by those skilled inthe art for attaching ladle stopper rods to the stopper heads. I providea stopper for a ladle or similar receptacle comprising a refractory headhaving a well extending downwardly thereinto, a rod having a lateralprojection at its bottom insertable downwardly into the well and meansapplicable to the head and rod into position to overlie at least aportion of the lateral projection at the bottom of the rod and therebyblock withdrawal of the rod from the Well whereby to attach the rod tothe head, said means being the sole means overlying the lateralprojection at the bottom of the rod. Such means are preferably alsoinsertable downwardly into the well above the lateral projection at thebottom of the rod into position to overlie at least a portion of thelateral projection at the bottom of the rod and thereby block withdrawalof the rod from the well and connected with the head whereby to attachthe rod to the head.

I further provide a stopper for a ladle or similar receptacle comprisinga refractory head having a well extending downwardly thereinto, a rodhaving a lateral projection at its bottom insertable downwardly into thewell and means at least largely surrounding the rod above the lateralprojection thereon appliable to the head into position to overlie atleast a portion of the lateral projection at the bottom of the rod andthereby block withdrawal of the rod from the well whereby to attach therod to the head. I preferably employ preformed refractory means whichare appliable to the head and rod into position to overlie at least aportion of the lateral projection at the bottom of the rod and underliea portion of the head.

The well of my refractory stopper head preferably has a portion of itswall relatively remote from its bottom of smaller transverse dimensionthan a portion of its wall less remote from its bottom, forming ashoulder facing toward the bottom of the well, and I preferably providemeans interposed between said shoulder and the lateral projection at thebottom of the rod blocking withdrawal of the rod from the Well wherebyto attach the rod to the head. Such means are preferably preformedrefractory means. I desirably employ cooperating preformed elementsfitting together to at least largely surround the rod above the lateralprojection thereon appliable to the head into postion to overlie atleast a portion of the latteral projection at the bottom of the rod andthereby block withdrawal of the rod from the well whereby to attach therod to the head. The well may be internally threaded and preformedexternally threaded preferably refractory means may be provided whichare adapted to be threaded into the Well into position to overlie atleast a portion of the lateral projection at the bottom of the rod; orthe well may have at a portion of its periphery'a shoulder facing towardthe bottom of the well and means may be employed which are insertabledownwardly into the well into a position to overlie at least a portionof the lateral projection at the bottom of the rod and turnable to aposition in which a part thereof underlies the shoulder to blockwithdrawal of the rod from the well and thereby attach the rod to thehead. Desirably, means are provided holding the last mentioned meansagainst turning out of the position in which a part thereof underliesthe shoulder to block withdrawal of the rod from the well.

Other details, objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent as the following description of certain present preferredembodiments thereof proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown certain present preferredembodiments of the invention in which FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of aladle stopper head with a portion cut away;

FIGURE 2 is an isometric view of a logged insert ring;

FIGURE 3 is an isometric view of a locking member;

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of an assembled stopperhead and stopper rod utilizing the structures shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and3, the cross-section being taken through the stopper rod just above thehead and looking downwardly toward the head, the lugged insert ringbeing shown in full lines in the position in which it is initiallyinserted into the well in the stopper head and in dotted lines in itsholding position turned through an angle of 90 from the initialposition;

FIGURE is a vertical cross-sectional view through the assembled stopperhead and stopper rod utilizing the structures shown in FIGURES 1, 2, 3and 4 but with the lugged insert ring in its holding position; and

FIGURE 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a modified form ofstructure.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings and especially toFIGURES l5, there is shown a refractory head 2 of a stopper for a ladleor similar receptacle. The bottom portion 3 of the stopper head 2 issolid and imperforate. The stopper head has a well designated generallyby reference numeral 4 extending downwardly thereinto from the topsurface 5 thereof. The well 4 is of generally circular shape but havingopposed outwardly projecting portions 6 each of which is connectedadjacent the bottom 7 of the well 4 with a circumferentially extendingcut out portion 8.

FIGURE 2 shows a lugged insert ring the body of which is designatedgenerally by reference numeral 9 and which has projecting outwardlytherefrom at the lower portion thereof opposed lugs 10. The luggedinsert ring is adapted to surround the stopper rod as will presently bedescribed and to pass downwardly within the well 4 with the lugs 10moving within the outwardly projecting portions 6 of the well. When thelugged insert ring reaches the position in which the lugs 10 are inlateral alignment with the circumferentially extending cut out portions8 of the head 2 the lugged insert ring is turned about its axis throughan angle of 90 to position the respective lugs underneath portions 11 ofthe stopper head, which portions overlie the cut out portions 8. As willbe understood from the above description, the well 4 has a portion ofits wall defined by the inner surface of the portion 11 of the stopperhead relatively remote from its bottom 7 of smaller transverse dimensionthan a portion 8 of its wall less remote from its bottom 7 forming ashoulder 12 facing toward the bottom of the well. Actually, there aretwo such shoulders at diametrically opposed portions of the stopperhead. They coact with the upper surfaces 13 of the lugs 10 to hold thelugged insert ring against movement out of the well 4. When the luggedinsert ringhas been turned to the position in which the lugs 10 areunderneath the shoulders 12 a locking member 14 shown in FIGURE 3 isdropped into one of the outwardly projecting portions 6 of the well toprevent turning of the lugged insert ring back to its initial positionsince the locking member 14 lies in the path of one of the lugs 10.While one locking member 14 is all that is required two such lockingmembers are preferably used for added locking safety.

FIGURE 5 shows a stopper rod 15 assembled with a head 2 and a luggedinsert ring as shown in FIGURE 2. The stopper rod 15 extends through abore 16 in the lugged insert ring as shown in FIGURE 5, and the stopperrod has a lateral projection 17 at its bottom. As shown the lateralprojection 17 is circular and coaxial with the rod 15. Its diameter isless than the diameter of the well 4 intermediate the portions 6 so thatthe stopper rod may be insertable downwardly into the well.

Before the stopper rod 15 is inserted downwardly into the well of thestopper head the lugged insert ring is applied over the stopper rod soas to rest upon the upper surface of the lateral projection 17. Thelower portion of stopper rod with the lugged insert ring thereabout andresting upon the lateral projection 17 is inserted downwardly into thewell 4, the lugs 10 of the lugged insert ring moving downwardly throughthe portions 6 of the well. When the bottom of the rod seats upon thebottom of the well the upper surfaces 13 of the lugs 10 will be slightlybelow the level of the shoulders 12. Thereupon the lugged insert ringwill be turned through an angle of more or less, and the locking members14 inserted as above described to maintain the assembly. The luggedinsert ring cannot be removed from the wellof the stopper head becausethe lugs 10 underlie the shoulders 12. The stopper rod is held in placeby the lugged insert ring acting upon the upper surface of the lateralprojection 17.

FIGURE 6 shows a modified construction including a refractory stopperhead 2a the bottom portion 3a of which is solid and imperforate. Thestopper head has a well designated generally by reference numeral 4::extending downwardly thereinto from the top surface 5a thereof. The well4a is of generally circular shape and internally threaded as shown at6a. The bottom of the well is designated 7a and is of somewhat smallerdiameter than the threaded portion thereof. The stopper rod isdesignated 15a and has at its bottom a lateral projection 17a.Surrounding the lower portion of the stopper rod 15a above the lateralprojection 17a is a preformed refractory collar 9a which is externallythreaded as shown at 10a so that the collar may be screwed down into thewell 411 with the threads 10a of the collar meshing with the threads 6aof the well as shown in FIGURE 6. The collar 9a may be a solidcompletely circular collar or it may consist of cooperating preformedelements fitting together to at least largely surround the rod. Forexample, the collar 9a may be made in two halves which may be applied tothe rod from opposite sides so that when applied the effect is the sameas a solid collar and the sectional collar may be screwed down into thewell of the stopper head just the same as a solid collar. Each of thethreads 6a of the well 4a constitutes a portion of the wall of the wellrelatively remote from its bottom of smaller transverse dimension thanthe space underlying it which is less remote from the bottom of the wellso that the lower portion of each thread forms a shoulder facing towardthe bottom of the well. Those shoulders act to maintain the collar 9a inplace and the collar in turn acts against the upper surface of thelateral projection 17a to block withdrawal of the rod 15a from the welland thereby attach the rod to the head. A rod protecting sleeve is shownat 18; the sleeve may be of conventional form.

The lugged insert ring 9 and the collar 9a are preformed of refractorymaterial which may be the same as the refractory material of the stopperhead so as to have the same coefficient of thermal expansion. In boththe form of FIGURES l5 and the form of FIGURE 6 the performed refractorymember or means is the sole means overlying the lateral projection atthe bottom of the rod. My stopper is very easy to assemble anddisassemble, is inexpensive and gives long service life.

While I have shown and described certain present preferred embodimentsof the invention it is to be distinctly understood that the invention isnot limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied within thescope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A stopper for a ladle or similar receptacle comprising a refractoryhead having a well extending downwardly thereinto, a rod having alateral projection at its bottom inserted downwardly into the well,insert means separate from the rod and head inserted downwardly into thewell above the lateral projection at the bottom of the rod into positionto overlie at least a portion of the lateral projection at the bottom ofthe rod and seat thereon and thereby withdrawal of the rod from the welland connected with the head whereby to attach the rod to the head andprotective sleeve means surrounding the rod above the head verticallysupported by said insert means.

2. A stopper for a ladle or similar receptacle comprising a refractoryhead having a well extending down- Wardly thereinto, a rod having alateral projection at its bottom inserted downwardly into the well,insert means separate from the rod and head inserted downwardly into thewell above the lateral projection at the bottom of the rod into positionto overlie at least a portion of the lateral projection at the bottom ofthe rod and thereby block withdrawal of the rod from the well andconnected with the head whereby to attach the rod to the head, saidinsert means being the sole means overlying the lateral projection atthe bottom of the rod, and protective sleeve means surrounding the rodabove the head vertically supported by said insert means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Roberts 251--291 Coady 251291Leinhos 251-291 Hoopes 251291 Howard 222-559 Murton 251-319 10 J.SPENCER OVERHOLSER,Prima1y Examiner.

R. D. BALDWIN, Assistant Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,352,533 November 14, 1967 Crawford B. Murton It is hereby certifiedthat error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction andthat the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 1, line 58, for "applicable" read appliable column 2, line 49,for "Desirably," read Desirably column 4, line 69, after "thereby"insert block column 5, line 6, after "rod" insert and seat thereonSigned and sealed this 3rd day of December 1968.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Attesting Officer

1. A STOPPER FOR A LADLE OR SIMILAR RECEPTACLE COMPRISING A REFRACTORYHEAD HAVING A WELL EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY THEREINTO, A ROD HAVING ALATERAL PROJECTION AT ITS BOTTOM INSERTED DOWNWARDLY INTO THE WELL,INSERT MEANS SEPARATE FROM THE ROD AND HEAD INSERTED DOWNWARDLY INTO THEWELL ABOVE THE LATERAL PROJECTION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ROD INTO POSITIONTO OVERLIE AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE LATERAL PROJECTION AT THE BOTTOM OFTHE ROD AND SEAT THEREON AND THEREBY WITHDRAWAL OF THE ROD FROM THE WELLAND CON-